Pros
Privately held: Almost run like a non-profit with huge investment in IRAD and ability to fund decisions and actions that would be unthinkable in publicly traded companies. Market leader: Market is cornered domestically and a significant head start on most competitors globally 9/80 work schedule Company truly cares about its employees (evidenced by a severe avoidance of layoffs whereas other companies would have done multiple layoff events)
Cons
Company culture of Engineers playing in their sandbox and cost doesn't matter. The company really is a bunch of Engineers playing (and actually making cool stuff) and they just happen to make aircraft that sometimes they sell for a profit. There are a lot of people that have grown up in GA and continue to think that what made the company grow 15-20 years ago is what should continue to be done today.